Historic Preservation Office

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Exterior Rehabilitation Program

The program reimburses owners on a 50/50 matching basis for pre-approved work costing at least $2,000 and up to $10,000. In exchange for receiving financial assistance, the property owner agrees to sell the city a conservation easement to protect the historic character of the property’s exteriors.

Eligible Improvements
Application Basics
Meeting Historic Design Guidelines
Project Selection
Application Information
Technical Historic Preservation Bulletins

Eligible Improvements

All work performed must be exterior work, which results in the repair, improvement, reconstruction, maintenance or enhancement of the facades or exterior faces of the subject property. This includes:

• Exterior walls
• Roofs
• Historic outbuildings
• Windows
• Reversal of previous inappropriate alterations
• Doors
• Exterior woodwork
• Reconstruction of original architectural elements based on historic documentation
• Masonry repointing
• Foundations
• Porches and steps
• Cornices and parapets

Additions to buildings or new construction are not eligible. Additionally, landscaping, fencing and other types of site improvements will not be considered for funding. Painting is not an eligible activity on its own. However, if painting is a component of an eligible repair, the cost of painting can be included in the project scope of work. Historic preservation staff are responsible for determining the eligibility of all items in the proposed scope of work.

Application Basics

Meeting Historic Design Guidelines

Priority is given to projects that perform exterior rehabilitation, repair or restoration work in close accordance with the city’s General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties.

These guidelines encourage improvements that retain the original character of a residence and that extend the life of historic building materials, features and finishes. Where preservation of historic building materials is not reasonable or cost effective, “in-kind”replacement may be acceptable.

Project Selection

When reviewing applications, the city considers the merits of the proposed project, the quality of the application and the support the project provides to the advancement of the city’s Historic Preservation goals. Priority will be given to applications that:

• Rehabilitate based on the city’s Historic Design Guidelines.
• Undertake critically needed improvements, reconstruction and maintenance of historic properties.
• Substantially improve the visual appearance of a historic neighborhood, district streetscape or an individually significant property.
• Encourage the investment of private funds to rehabilitate, improve, maintain, preserve, protect and enhance deteriorated historic properties.

Because of the limited funding available, potential applicants are encouraged to consult with historic preservation staff regarding the completion of the application.

Application Information

If you are interested in obtaining the complete application packet, which includes the application, program guide, checklist, preservation philosophy, sample forms and book order form, please call 602-261-8699 or download the packet items from here (Requires Adobe Reader):

• 2007-08 Exterior Rehabilitation Program Application
  The application will need to be filled out and returned to the Historic Preservation Office by the specified date in order to participate in the program. Informational workshops are also available during the year.
  
  Download the application (100kb PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
  
  
  • Exterior Rehabilitation Program Guide (167kb PDF, requires Adobe Reader)
    A guide providing information on the history of the grant program, procedure for funding applicants, and information about completing the application.
    
  • Completed Sample Application (2 MB PDF, requires Adobe Reader)
    
  • Application Checklist (63.5 kb PDF, requires Adobe Reader)
    A checklist of all the items that should be included with the application before submitting it.
    
    Other useful information on the Exterior Rehabilitaiton Program is also available.
    
    
  • Preservation Philosophy
    Guiding principles on retaining, preserving, and/or replacing architectural features/elements on a historic structure.
    
    
  • Exterior Rehabilitation Program Agreement (Sample form)
    A legal agreement between the city of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and the property owner outlined how the work will be carried out and how the owner will be paid.
    
    
  • Deed of Facade Conservation Easement (Sample form)
    A legal agreement between the city of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and the property owner on the obligations and requirements necessary for the grant.
    
    
  • Consent Agreement (Sample form)
    A legal document that must be signed and returned to the Historic Preservation Office by any lienholders before commencement of any work. The Consent Agreement provides the permission of any lienholders for the property owners to sign the Deed of Conservation Easement.
    
    
  • Historic Homes of Phoenix Book Order Form
    An order form for Historic Homes of Phoenix: An Architectural and Preservation Guide, a 222-page illustrated book published by the city of Phoenix, which is helpful in providing information about the style of your home.

Technical Historic Preservation Bulletins

Paint Removal Methods for Masonry (82kb PDF, requires Adobe Reader)
Masonry Cleaning and Repointing Procedures (120kb PDF, requires Adobe Reader )
Steel Casement Window Repairs (125kb PDF, requires Adobe Reader)

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